2026 Rankings: Linebacker Class Is Deep And Talented

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's general knowledge that a linebacker will typically be the leader of the defense. Toughness. Gritty. Blood coming off their knuckles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've reviewed the film, and we felt the need to rank 28 linebackers for the 2026 Class. There are some at the top that are destined to play Power Five football. More could be making that climb this season. But more importantly, there is depth that could make this a special class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at some of the standouts of the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2026","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"2496","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"2451","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-663b0fbbaf54e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BREAKING DOWN THE TOP FIVE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473010' first='Michael' last='Boulware']</strong>&nbsp;Gray Collegiate</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What's not to like about Boulware? He's got the size, strength and lineage to excel at the highest level. His father and uncle played in the NFL and he's been on the radar since early in his freshman year. He averaged over 12 tackles per game in 2023 and that type of performance should continue.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165076' first='Marcus' last='Henderson']</strong>&nbsp;Berkeley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Henderson is a guy that plays with a high motor and has a knack for finding the football. Still a little bit undersized but he can make plays sideline to sideline. He finished with 125 tackles on a defense that returns most of last season's starters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='816736' first='Terry' last='Gordon']</strong>&nbsp;South Florence</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were other defensive standouts that garnered a lot of headlines last season, but Gordon was a steady presence for the Class 4A runners-up. He's strong as evidence of his 24 reps on the bench press at the Carolina Coaches Combine in March. He can attack the run and plays pass coverage well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267200' first='Tamarion' last='Watkins']</strong>&nbsp;Northwestern</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watkins made a huge leap in the rankings because of his production on film and what we've seen from him in the offseason. He came on strong at the end of the season and had three tackles for loss in a playoff game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165096' first='Jaxx' last='Wilson']&nbsp;</strong>Westside</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilson totaled 116 tackles on a state championship winning defense. He brings a physical style to the linebacker spot and this Rams team is loaded for another state championship run. Wilson will be a huge part of that in the middle of the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17942346/656f2d2b7bd2da0bbc5e3f9d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-663b0e5016af9"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TEN RISING STARS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1025770' first='Cayden' last='Workman']</strong>&nbsp;Eastside</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Workman finished just north of 100 tackles (102) and added 13 tackles for loss, a sack, one recovered fumble and one caused fumble. He will see an even bigger role this season and will be counted on to help the defense limit opposing offenses to less than the 32 points per game scored in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1025773' first='Romello' last='Patterson']</strong>&nbsp;West Florence</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Patterson (pictured) is strong and can play inside or out. He's quick enough to get around the edge but also powerful enough to fight through blockers. He uses his hands well when engaged with blockers. He could see his numbers jump dramatically this season. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1025776' first='Raleigh' last='Salters']</strong>&nbsp;Dutch Fork</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a nutshell, Salters is a tackling machine. He finds the ball-carrier easily and typically arrives in a bad mood. He finished last season with 91 tackles and eight tackles for loss and by the end of last season, Salters was one of the more vocal leaders of the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267211' first='Gray' last='Patterson']</strong>&nbsp;Fort Mill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Patterson had 48 tackles, five tackles for loss and two interceptions. He will easily improve those numbers for a Yellow Jacket team that won two games last season. He should be the unquestioned leader of the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165126' first='Kelvin' last='Smalls']</strong>&nbsp;Baptist Hill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smalls averaged 12 tackles per game and is a hidden gem playing at the Class A level. He plays fast, doesn't take plays off and is relentless in pursuit of the ball. He's consistent and could see his numbers increase after a huge offseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='617719' first='Donte' last='Bell']</strong>&nbsp;North Augusta</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bell might only be 160 pounds, but he plays much bigger. He was the Yellow Jackets leading tackler and moved sideline-to-sideline really well. His fundamentals are strong and he rarely misses making a tackle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267216' first='Kevin' last='Rivers']</strong>&nbsp;Berkeley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another Stag makes the list and Rivers has a huge upside. He plays physically and registered 65 tackles last season. He was inserted into the starting lineup as Berkeley had a youth movement last season. Rivers should continue to process into one of the better play-making linebackers in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1025820' first='Lamontae' last='Smith']</strong>&nbsp;North Myrtle Beach</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith comes in as the second heaviest linebacker on the list. That extra bulk helps him play inside and make a lot of plays on interior running plans. His role will increase this season and he might be a leader on an improved Chiefs defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165156' first='Drake' last='Porter']</strong>&nbsp;Ben Lippen</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Porters plays at the SCISA level, but the talent is evident the first time you look at film. He has great pursuit speed and shows a burst at the line of scrimmage. He has a chance to be one of the best linebackers in the state in the SCISA ranks this season. He had an eye-popping 133 tackles last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1220232' first='[player_tooltip player_id='1206285' first='Christopher' last='']' last='Glover']</strong>&nbsp;Calhoun County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Saints lost several key defense players and Glover is the top returning tackler with over 100 stops on the season. Glover will have to be more vocal this season and take a firm leadership role on a younger Calhoun County team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17934370/654b9f2f34530403ecac72a0' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-663b0e5016b3b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FIVE DARK HORSE CANDIDATES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267285' first='JT' last='Williams']</strong>&nbsp;Summerville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams will do a little bit of everything for the Green Wave. He should be a force at linebacker, but he also has the ability to play safety. He will see time on offense, and he even ran a kick back for a touchdown against West Ashley. His role will expand even more this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1054176' first='Grayson' last='Gunter']</strong>&nbsp;Gilbert</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gunter will be a two-way player for the Indians, but he is relentless from his linebacker spot. He plays on the outside and attacks well but can drop in coverage if needed. He graded out at over 90 percent for the season. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267311' first='Julian' last='Senn']</strong> Newberry</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senn is only going to get better and better with more time on the field. The measurables are there and it's starting to translate to production. Senn could see his stock rise rather quickly with a huge junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267317' first='Daniel' last='Capehart']</strong>&nbsp;Dillon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Capehart could quickly morph into a 100-tackle per season guy. He got valuable experience last season, and he should be in line to make a bigger impact after an offseason in the weight room.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267324' first='Ophir' last='Hill']</strong>&nbsp;Lower Richland</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hill only played in nine games last season but ended with 58 tackles and two sacks. He fits well in the Diamonds system and will be counted on to make more impactful plays in 2024.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17806224/653f20b064e064097c8e70ee' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-663b0e5016b64"} /-->